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New Orleans Pelicans: Examining the trade market for Anthony Davis

By Jonathan Macri

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 23: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a game against Houston Rockets at the Smoothie King Center on February 23, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 23: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts during a game against Houston Rockets at the Smoothie King Center on February 23, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 07: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors is defended by LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half in Game 3 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 7, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 07: Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors is defended by LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half in Game 3 of the 2017 NBA Finals at Quicken Loans Arena on June 7, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Does Boston really have the best package?

Before we get to what Boston can offer and what it will offer – two separate things – there are 28 other franchises who most certainly would love to get in on the bidding. Let’s start at the top.

A theoretical deal centered around Davis and Klay Thompson is fun to think about, but doesn’t make sense for a variety of reasons, including Klay’s contract length, age, and Golden State not having anything else interesting to throw in the deal. They would trade both Thompson and Green together for prime-MJ…and that’s about it.

Cleveland has the newly-acquired Nets pick, but by itself that’s not enough to land Davis, and like Golden State, they have no intriguing young players on the roster.

None of San Antonio, Houston, Toronto, Washington, Oklahoma City, Memphis, Miami, Detroit, Charlotte, Brooklyn or the Clippers have the types of young players and/or picks to make New Orleans even answer the phone.

Utah could offer Rudy Gobert plus stuff – say, Donovan Mitchell and a possible late-lottery pick in 2018. Gobert is just 25 and locked up until 2021.

On paper, such a deal isn’t totally nuts.

In reality, neither team would likely bite. If Mitchell were to show enough promise in his rookie season for the Pels to want him, Utah wouldn’t want to give him up, plus a lottery pick, when the center they already have is pretty darned good. For New Orleans, getting a package centered around Gobert keeps them squarely in the cycle of mediocrity.

Denver is always brought up as a potential landing spot for a superstar on the move. Their collection of young talent is impressive, but with Jokic untouchable and Millsap in the fold for two more years, the fit just isn’t right. (No, Denver is not packaging Jokic and an additional juicy asset for two years of Anthony Davis)

A KAT/AD pairing would be fascinating in Minnesota, but even if a sign and trade with Andrew Wiggins could be worked out, he isn’t nearly valuable enough for a straight up swap, and the Wolves figure to be picking in the early 20’s for the foreseeable future. They are bereft of other desirable pieces to include in a deal.

Similarly, while the Bucks have interesting talent on the roster, they won’t have the necessary lottery asset to pair with it barring an injury to Giannis. Conversely, Orlando, Chicago and Atlanta should all have a high lottery pick this year, but none have a needle-moving player to include in a deal.

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